Squadron Leader Nirdosh Vatsyayan Tyagi has been on the posted strength of Operational Conversion Unit since October, 1982. A highly qualified officer, he is a Production Test Pilot, a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and a Cat A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor.

During his tenure in the unit, he has served for eight months as Adjutant, in addition to his normal flying instructional duties. During this period, his diligence and meticulous attention to minute detail, have resulted in an outstanding administrative performance of the unit. His efforts characterized by honesty of purpose and a helpful attitude, resulted in the unit obtaining above average reports from Air Headquarters teams in 1984 and 1985.

As Officer-in-Charge Academics, the officer has displayed patience, knowledge, understanding and diligence to motivate trainees into utmost participation and perfect learning. Under his guidance they scored an average of 81% in a standardization check carried out by the Aircrew Examining Board.

For his hard work, selfless devotion to duty and outstanding contribution to the operational efficiency to the Air Force, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Squadron Leader Nirdosh Vatsyayan Tyagi.

Group Captain Nirdosh Vatsyayan Tyagi VSM (12765) Flying (Pilot) has been commanding MiG Operational Flying Training Unit since 19 Jun 95. He was commissioned on 12th Jun 71. While serving in Operational Conversion Unit, he performed creditably and was awarded VSM in 1987.

He has held various important command and staff appointments during his distinguished service career. He is a Category A-2 Qualified Flying Instructor. He has also served as a Directing Staff at Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. Earlier, he successfully commanded a MiG-21 BIS Squadron. This is his second tenure in command of a fighter unit.

MOFTU AF is a premier establishment, which is equivalent to two squadrons in terms of resources and task.

Group Captain NV Tyagi's performance in command of this unit for the last two years, has been noteworthy. At the time of his assuming command, the operational training task was behind schedule by over a month. Despite resource constraints and various setbacks, such as grounding of the fleet for a month, he ensured that all subsequent courses have passed out on schedule.

The unit has flown over 10,000 hours during the last two years under his stewardship. During this period, there were four accidents in the unit due to technical malfunction on the aircraft of old vintage and relative inexperience of the junior pilots. During such moments of crisis, he ensured that normalcy of operations was restored in the shortest possible time and the morale of the personnel was kept high. The unit has continued to perform well in all spheres of activity, including sports. Aircraft serviceability has been kept high and the unit has been very well administered.

For distinguished service of exceptional order, the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Group Captain N V Tyagi.

Air Commodore Nirdosh Vatsyayan Tyagi VM VSM (12765) F (P) was commissioned in the Flying branch on 12 Jun 1971. In 31 years of distinguished service, he has held several important command and staff appointments. He commanded two fighter units for over five years. He was a Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College. He was awarded VSM in 1987, and VM in 1988. He was Deputy Director Electronic Warfare (Operations) at Air Headquarters and Ops 1A at a Command Headquarters. He has been commanding a large fighter station since 04 January 2001.

In his present assignment, using a judicious mix of delegation and supervision, he has ensured that conducive atmosphere is created for professional growth. The dormant talent, thus unleashed, has resulted in progressive improvement in the performance of the Station. Flying effort, operational status, role specific training, aircraft serviceability and flight safety environment, are some of the areas where noteworthy improvements have taken place. A combined effect of these was evident when the squadrons of the base were able to deploy the requisite number of 24 MiG-27 fighters for OP PARAKRAM in December 2001, despite a deficiency of four fighters against the establishment.

He has taken initiative on several other counts to safeguard interests of the Service. Pollution created by unloading of cement clinker at railway siding near the camp area was adversely affecting the Base. This issue was resolved and unloading operation was suspended. PWD authorities have been persuaded to widen and resurface approach road to the camp. Unplanned growth of shanties on State Govt land near the main gate of the Station was posing a security hazard. A socio-politically-viable solution to the problem has been worked out.

For the year 2001, the Station was adjudged the best in Landline Communications in the IAF. Later, during the year, one of the MiG-27 squadrons of the Stations participated in Exercise VAYU SPARDHA, emerging first overall, to be designated the Best Combat Squadron of the IAF. For the year 2002, the Station was selected to participate in the Best Flying Station in the IAF competition, which was later cancelled due to operational deployment. However, the Station was adjudged best Op and overall the best in EAC.

Air Commodore Nirdosh Vatsyayan Tyagi VM VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.